Study on the impact of sexually transmitted infections on Quality of Life, mood and sexual function

BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) may impact on the patient's physical, psychological and sexual health and negatively influence their Quality of Life (QOL). Studies on this topic are scarce. This study aimed to assess the impact of STIs different from HIV on QOL, mood and sexual functioning in the patients attending our STIs center in comparison with patients affected by chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).METHODS: An anonymous questionnaire was provided. It included 3 validated questionnaires: the European Quality of Life 5 dimensions 5 levels; the Beck Depression Inventory-II for depressive symptoms; the Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (CSFQ) for sexual functioning.RESULTS: Seventy-three STIs patients and 51 IBD patients participated in the study. The mean EQ-5D-5L questionnaire scores were 86.72 in STIs and 89.21 in IBD patients, without statistically significant difference between the two groups. Symptoms of depression were more common and severe in STIs patients compared to IBD patients. Sexual functioning was slightly worse in STIs patients than in IBD patients.CONCLUSIONS: This is one the very few studies focused on the impact of STIs on patient's physical, psychological and sexual health. Physicians dealing with STIs should consider the possible psychological consequences of the disease.